West Indies batting coach Floyd Reifer is confident his side can pull of a series win against England once the batting fires.
The former captain spoke about the prospects of the Caribbean side’s chances on the Mason and Guest Programme.
When asked if he believed the side can pull off a series win he responded, “Yes I think that we can win the series, once we bat well… I think once we bat well and catch well then we will be very competitive and win the series.
“Obviously my job is to prepare the batters and make sure they are mentally and skillfully as ready as possible for those Test matches… I am looking forward to working with [head coach] Phil [Simmons] and adding my value and knowledge to the team to make sure the guys do the best they can in England,” Reifer added.
He explained, “In terms of our batters I think that we have some experienced batters, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope those guys did well in England last time. Jason [Holder] is batting well, young [Shane] Dowrich, I think he is batting well, Roston Chase, all these guys are experienced cricketers now so it is just a matter for us now batting as a batting unit, you know these guys, continuing to understand each other’s game and look out for each other.”
The 47-year-old Bajan related that he has done his research and from all indications the English summer is here. He posited that the conditions aren’t surprising but it is just a matter of making the adjustments. “Well, from what I’ve heard and done my investigations it is sunny in England. Obviously the pitches with not a lot of cricket being played over the last few months but I think the weather is good in England and the pitches we will be playing at Old Trafford, that pitch is very good for batting so I think the conditions would not be a big issue. We know we’re going to England we know the ball is going to swing so it is just a matter of making the adjustments, playing the ball at eye level and as late possible and building those partnerships and playing as a team,” Reifer revealed.
The former Head Coach said that in his opinion, the bowling department was not one of concern with most of the senior players being in good form.
“Our bowling is never an issue we have the number one all-rounder in the world captain, Jason Holder, Kemar Roach has been bowling well, Shannon Gabriel is back, young Chemar Holder is a very good prospect for the future, Alzarri Joseph has been bowling well and [Rahkeem] Cornwall and those guys…,” he stated. West Indies are currently in a two-week quarantine in England but are training. They will take on England in three Tests under a unique ‘bio-secure’ condition with the first Test beginning on July 8.
